Motorized blind control devices, methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for controlling blind systems and other systems with moving parts are disclosed. Certain systems and methods couple to a blind system, and include one or more transceiving, processing, sensor, motion delivery, power delivery, and various other components for collectively or individually controlling a blind system to open or close its blinds. Certain systems and methods utilize preprogrammed control instructions stored locally, or user-initiated control signals received from remote devices to control the blind system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The content of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/437,171, filedJan. 28, 2011, entitled REMOTE CONTROL WAND FOR BLINDS, and the contentof U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/359,395, filed Jan. 26,2012, entitled MOTORIZED BLIND CONTROL DEVICES, METHODS OF USE THEREOF,are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to systems and methods for controllingsystems with moving parts. In particular, the invention relates tosystems and methods for controlling, for example by remote activation,an actuating mechanism of a blind system to open or close blinds of thatblind system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Manual operation by a user of window blinds is well known. In the past,users simply approach a window blind system and physically adjust theblinds using an attached baton, chain or rope. However, manual operationrequires user intervention, and does not permit intelligent use ofblinds during periods when human intervention is unavailable, resultingin energy inefficiency and unnecessary cost to a user.

Some systems and methods have tried to automate operation of windowblinds to trim energy inefficiency and cost. However, these systems andmethods are often expense, difficult to install, require structuralmodification of the window blind system, require the skill of aprofessional and costly installer, use hard to access power sources, anddo not use information about interior and exterior circumstancesrelating to the position of a particular window blind system.

For the above reasons, and others, there exists a need for an automatedblind control device that can be inexpensively and easily installed to ablind system without significant modification of the blind system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods forcontrolling blinds are described. These systems and methods may becarried out using a remote device (e.g., a remote control, a computer, amobile phone, etc.). The system and methods may provide for an outerhousing having an inner cavity sized to include various components. Suchcomponents may include: a motor having a motor shaft configured torotate about a first axis; a power source configured to power the motor;a first connector configured to rotate about the first axis and having afirst feature configured to couple the first connector to the actuatingmechanism; a second connector configured to rotate about the first axisand having a second feature configured to couple the second connector tothe motor; and a magnetic clutch comprising a first magnet coupled tothe first connector and a second magnet coupled to the second connector.The magnetic clutch may be configured to cause the first connector andthe second connector to rotate around the first axis when the one ormore blinds are partially open and when the motor shaft rotates aboutthe first axis. The magnetic clutch may be further configured to preventthe first connector from rotating around the first axis and to permitthe second connector to rotate around the first axis when the one ormore blinds are fully open or fully closed and when the motor shaftrotates about the first axis.

The systems and methods may further provide for a sensor and acontroller configured to control the rotation of the motor shaft basedon temperature, light, sound or motion information collected by thesensor. The systems and methods may also provide for an anti-rotationfeature attached to or formed on the outer housing and configured toprevent the outer housing from rotating when the motor shaft rotates.

The systems and methods may alternatively provide for a sensor and aprocessing component operable to: receive information from the sensor;cause the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis based on firstinformation from the sensor specifying an ambient temperature level thatexceeds a predefined threshold temperature level; cause the motor shaftto rotate about the first axis based on second information from thesensor specifying an ambient light level that exceeds a predefinedthreshold light level; cause the motor shaft to rotate about the firstaxis based on first information from the sensor specifying a sound thatmatches a stored sound profile; and cause the motor shaft to rotateabout the first axis based on second information from the sensorspecifying a detected motion.

The processing component may also or alternatively be operable toreceive information specifying a time of day, compare the time of day toa stored time of day to determine if the received time of day matchesthe stored time of day, and cause the motor shaft to rotate about thefirst axis when the received time of day matches the stored time of day.

The processing component may also or alternatively be operable toreceive user instructions from a remote device over a wirelesstransmission channel that instruct the processor to cause the motorshaft to rotate about the first axis in a first direction or a seconddirection so as to close or open the blinds, respectively. The processormay then cause the motor shaft to rotate in the first or seconddirection responsive to the user instructions.

The systems and methods may also provide for a computer program productcomprising a computer usable medium having a computer readable programcode embodied therein, where the computer readable program code isadapted to be executed to implement a method for controlling blinds.Such a method may provide for receiving information specifying acondition, and causing a motor shaft to rotate about the first axisbased on the condition. The information may be received from a remotedevice over a wireless transmission channel, a temperature sensor, alight sensor, or a timer. The condition may specifywirelessly-transmitted instructions to open or close the blinds, anambient temperature level, an ambient light level, a time of day, or anamount of elapsed time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application may be more fully appreciated in connection withthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-C depict different orientations of a blind control devicehaving various components;

FIG. 2 depicts a first portion of a blind control device;

FIGS. 3A-C depict several orientations of a blind connector component;

FIGS. 4A-C depict several orientations of a motor connector component;

FIGS. 5A-B depict two magnets used in relation to a magnetic clutch;

FIG. 6 depicts a motor;

FIGS. 7A-D depict different views of a motor housing;

FIG. 8 depicts a circuit board;

FIG. 9 depicts a different orientation of the first portion from FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 depicts a second portion of a blind control device;

FIGS. 11A-C depict different views of a first battery connector;

FIG. 12 depicts a power lead;

FIG. 13 depicts a third portion of a blind control device;

FIGS. 14A-D depict different views of a second battery connector;

FIGS. 15A-B depict different orientations of an anti-rotation feature;

FIGS. 16A-C depict different adaptors that attach to various blindsystems;

FIG. 17 depicts a blind system coupled to a blind control device havinga sensor;

FIGS. 18A-C depict several orientations of a blind connector componentthat connects directly to a motor;

FIG. 19 depicts a first portion of the blind control device showing aconfiguration using a blind connector component;

FIG. 20 depicts a rod extension configuration; and

FIG. 21 depicts a remote control device for controlling the operation ofa motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the invention are described below. It should beapparent that the teachings herein may be embodied in a wide variety offorms and that any specific structure, function, or both, beingdisclosed herein is merely representative. Based on the teachings hereinone skilled in the art should appreciate that any aspect disclosed maybe implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or moreof these aspects may be combined in various ways.

Aspects of the invention may feature mechanical, electric and/or othersystems for controlling the position of blinds commonly used in windowsand doors. It is to be understood, however, that the inventive aspectsdescribed herein and understood by those skilled in the art can beapplied to all types of blinds and other systems with moving parts.

The present invention offers various advantages over previous systemsand methods for controlling blind systems. For example, one aim of thepresent invention relates to ease of installation and use. As one ofskill in the art will come to understand, the inventive aspects of thepresent invention permit a user to install various implementations ofthe invention without having to dismantle or substantially modify theblind system. In accordance with several embodiments, a user need onlyattach that embodiment's inventive blind control device to existingactuators of typical blind systems. Attachment may require only havingto slide an embodiment's inventive blind control device over a hook orother feature, or into a cavity without any need of cutting or otherwisemodifying the blind control device. Users of the various inventive blindcontrol devices will benefit greatly by avoiding the significantinvestment of time (e.g., in relation to user installation) and/or money(e.g., in relation to professional installation) required to installprevious blind control devices. Certain inventive blind control devicesare also significantly smaller than previous blind control devices, andcan be attached to a blind system to appear as if the respective blindcontrol device was part of that blind system.

Further benefit is created by the power delivery aspects of variousembodiments. For example, use of batteries as opposed to hardwiring toelectrical conduits behind a wall, permit a user to quickly installthose embodiments without any need to hire an electrician. Furthermore,the batteries are easily accessible, and can be changed by removing acap.

Various embodiments described herein permit a user to easily program andcontrol that embodiment's blind control device using wirelessdata/signal transmission or by activating physical components (e.g., amanual switch, push button, etc.) on the blind control device. Forexample, programming and control may occur at/from a wireless device(e.g., a mobile computing device, a computer or router capable oftransmitting wireless signals, a remote control device). Signals/datamay be received from and/or sent to those wireless devices using RF, IR,Bluetooth, or other wireless technologies. The present inventioncontemplates appropriate software (e.g., applications for displaying auser interface, software for controlling a motor or other drivemechanism of certain blind control devices) and hardware (e.g.,processors, sensors, switches, etc.) at the wireless devices and theblind control devices to carry out and manage the programming andcontrol functionality described herein.

One of skill in the art will appreciate various control commands,including commands for rotating a motor axle (described in more detailbelow) in one direction to open blinds a desired amount and rotating themotor axle in the other direction to close the blinds a desired amount.For example, when a user presses any of various buttons on a wirelessdevice, a signal may be sent to a processing unit of the blind controldevice, which in turn controls the rotation of the motor shaft to openor close the blinds. Pressing one button/switch and releasing it mayresult in the blinds opening or closing to a predetermined position(e.g., opening to let in the most light or closing to block the mostlight). Pressing another button and releasing it may result in theblinds opening or closing only for the period of time in which thebutton was push. Under this scenario, a user would have to press andhold the button until the blinds have opened or closed a desired amount.Pressing another button may control any number of blind systems andsubsets of blind systems. Pressing yet another button may indicate apredefined operation (e.g., the opening or closing of the blinds at alater time or under certain conditions). One of skill in the art willappreciate that user-activated buttons can be replaced by a computerinterface where a user selects presently-desired or scheduledoperations.

One of skill in the art will further appreciate various programmingcommands using the same buttons/switches and/or user interfaces.

Programming and control of certain inventive blind control devices mayalternatively involve sensors and/or processing components that receiveinput relating to light, sound, motion, position of blinds, temperature,time or other properties/characteristics, and then use received input tocontrol a blind system. Such sensors and/or processing components wouldbe positioned within and/or on an external surface of a respective blindcontrol device.

In accordance with one example, a blind control device may include oruse information from a sensor to determine when sensed ambient light(e.g., sunlight) exceeds a threshold brightness level (e.g., abrightness level determined by a user-programmable or preset value), andmay then control a blind system to open or close its blinds. By way ofanother example, a blind control device may include a sensor thatdetermines if sensed ambient temperature exceeds or falls below athreshold temperature level (e.g., a temperature level determined by auser-programmable or preset value), and may then control a blind systemto open or close its blinds based on the determination. A blind controldevice may also or alternatively respond to sound (e.g., a human voice,including the user-programmable or preset words “open” and “close”) orto motion (e.g., a human entering a room).

A blind control device may also or alternatively control a blind systemto open or close its blinds based on the time of day (e.g., asdetermined by an internal time-keeping component, or as determined by asignal received from an external device such as a clock). Or, the blindcontrol device may control a blind system to open or close its blindsbased on a predefined time period since an event as determined by aninternal or external time-keeping component or device (e.g., since theblinds opened or closed, since a sensed amount of light exceeded athreshold level of light, etc.).

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the sensor informationregarding temperature, light, motion and sound, and the timerinformation may be obtained by the blind control device from remotesensors and timers not physically attached to the blind control device.Receipt of such sensor and timer information may be obtained usingvarious wireless signal transmission techniques described herein inrelation to remote wireless devices.

For a better understanding of certain aspects and features of thepresent invention, attention is drawn to the following Overview.

Overview

While the details of the embodiments of the invention may vary and stillbe within the scope of the claimed invention, one of skill in the artwill appreciate that the figures described herein are not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theinventive aspects. Neither should the figures and there description beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated in those figures.

Aspects and features of the invention are designed to operate inrelation to mechanical and/or electrical systems with movablecomponents. In accordance with various embodiments described herein,aspects and features of the invention are designed to manipulate one ormore vertical and horizontal louvers/slats (generally referred to hereinas “blinds”) of a blind system by transferring rotational motion from amotor to an actuator mechanism of the blind system that opens and closesthe blind louvers/slats. Such actuator mechanisms may include, withoutlimitation, tilt mechanisms (e.g., with a wand or baton attachedthereto), ropes, chains and other components of blind systems that openand close blind louvers/slats.

It will be understood that the terms “blind” or “louver” or “slat” mayrefer to individual vertical or horizontal members of blind systemswhich are capable of being opened, closed or otherwise adjusted. Theterm “tilt mechanism” may refer to an actuating mechanism that enablesthe opening, closing or other adjustments to the blinds. It will beunderstood that ‘blind system” is described herein as a single blindsystem. However, the teachings herein may apply to control of severalblind systems, each with a blind control device, and each controlled bythe same remote control device.

Blind Control Device

Attention is now drawn to FIGS. 1A-C, which depict differentorientations of a blind control device 100 having various componentsdescribed below. The blind control device 100 depicted in FIG. 1 maytake various configurations within the scope and spirit of theinvention. For example, the disclosed system may be configured toinclude an outer housing 105 of any shape, including cylindrical,rectangular, triangular, polygonal, spherical, cubic or other geometricshapes. The outer housing 105 may be covered in any sort of design andmaterial. The blind control device 100 may further include a blindconnector component 110, an anti-rotation feature 115, one or moremagnets 120 a-b, a motor connector component 125, a motor 130, a motorhousing 135, a rotation-locking pin 140, a circuit board 145 or othersuitable processing/control component with a control interface 146, afirst battery connector 150, one or more batteries 155 (e.g., of anysize or type and in any configuration) or other suitable power source, asecond battery connector and end cap 160, a power lead 165, a screw 170and a pin hole 175. Each of these components and their relationships toeach other are described in more detail below with respect to variousfeatures.

Attention is turned to FIGS. 2 though FIG. 9, which depict variouscomponents from FIGS. 1A-C that may be used to cause the blind connector110 to rotate in relation to force provided by the motor 130. FIG. 2,for example, depicts a first portion 200 of the blind control device 100of FIGS. 1A-C.

FIGS. 3A-C depict several orientations of the blind connector component110. As shown, the blind connector component 110 may include a magnetreceiving section 311 and a blind connection section 312. The magnetreceiving section 311 may include a cavity 313 that is configured toreceive magnet 120 a. Adhesive, friction, a mechanical fastener, oranother method of attachment may be used to hold magnet 120 a in placewithin the cavity 313 formed by the magnet receiving section 311. Blindconnection section 312 may include a receiving slot 314 disposed toreceive a hook or other feature of a blind system (not shown) that, whenrotated, manipulates the blinds to open, close or perform some othermovement.

FIGS. 18A-C depict several orientations of a blind connector component1810. As shown, the blind connector component 1810 may include a motorconnection cavity 1813 that is configured to receive a motor shaft(e.g., motor shaft 631 of FIG. 6). One of skill in the art willappreciate that the motor connection cavity 1813 may take any shape orform to couple to the motor shaft. In cases where the motor shaft is afemale configuration, the cavity 1813 may instead take the form of amale counterpart for that female configuration. Adhesive, friction, amechanical fastener, or another method of attachment may be used to holdmagnet motor shaft in place within the cavity 1813.

FIGS. 4A-C depict several orientations of the motor connector component125. As shown, the motor connector component 125 may include a magnetreceiving section 426 and a motor connection section 427, each having aparticular geometric shape. One of skill in the art will appreciate thatthese geometric shapes can take the form of any suitable geometric shape(e.g., a star shape or ‘D’ shape for the motor connection section 427),and that the shapes shown in the figures are merely included toillustrate certain aspects of the invention. The magnet receivingsection 426 may include a cavity 428 that is configured to receivemagnet 120 b. Adhesive, friction, a mechanical fastener, or anothermethod of attachment may be used to hold magnet 120 bin place within thecavity 428 formed by the magnet receiving section 426. Motor connectionsection 427 may include a receiving cavity (not labeled) disposed toreceive a motor shaft 631 (shown in FIG. 6 and described in more detailbelow).

FIGS. 5A-B depict two magnets 120 a and 120 b, respectively. Whenmagnetically coupled, under certain pressure constraints, the magnets120 a-b operate as a magnetic clutch that transfers rotational motionfrom the motor 130, through the motor connector component 125 and theblind connector component 110, and on to an actuating mechanism (e.g., atilt mechanism) of a blind system (not shown). Pressure between themagnetically attracted surfaces of the magnets 120 a-b is maintainedwhile the motor 130 provides rotational motion until the actuatingmechanism of the blind system cannot rotate (i.e., until the blindscontrolled by the actuating mechanism are fully closed or open), atwhich point magnet 120 a stops spinning and magnet 120 b continues tospin until the motor 130 stops. Once the motor 130 stops, the magnets120 a-b once again magnetically couple to each other.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that a friction clutch could beused by replacing the magnets with a suitable material. One of skill inthe art will appreciate alternative embodiments that do not use amagnetic or frictional clutch, where that motor 130 could connectdirectly or through other components to the blind connector component110. In accordance with some of these alternative embodiments, afractional number of rotations of the blind connector component 110 (orthe motor shaft 631 described below) may be tracked. Based on thefractional count of rotations, the blind control device could, usingpreprogrammed information, determine the position of the blinds inrelation to a fully-closed position and a fully-open position. Based ona determined position, the blind control device could stop rotation ofthe blinds when they reach the fully-closed and fully-open position.However, the magnetic clutch embodiment is preferred due to cost andease of operation.

FIG. 6 depicts the motor 130. The motor 130 may be any sort of motor,including an electric motor. As shown, the motor 130 may include arotatable motor shaft/axel 631, power leads 632, and fastening features633 a-b. As shown and previously described, the motor shaft 631 may beconfigured to be inserted into the motor connection section 427 of themotor connector component 125. The motor shaft 631 is shown to have anexternal gear that may be inserted into the motor connection section427. The motor shaft 631 is also shown to have an external gear having aparticular geometric shape that mates with the shape provided by themotor connection section 427 or the motor connection cavity 1813. One ofskill in the art will appreciate that the geometric shape of theexternal gear may take the form of any suitable geometric shape (e.g., astar shape or ‘D’ shape), and that the shapes shown in the figures aremerely included to illustrate certain aspects of the invention. One ofskill in the art will further appreciate that an internal gear may beused for the motor shaft 631, and that the motor connection section 427(or some other component connected to the motor connection section 427)may be shaped to compatibly couple to the internal gear.

Adhesive, friction, mere insertion, a mechanical fastener, or anothermethod of attachment may be used to hold the hold the motor connectorcomponent 125 in place around the motor shaft 631. When the motor shaft631 rotates upon delivery of electrical current via power leads 632, therotational energy may be transferred to the blind connector component110 through the motor connector component 125 and the magnets 120 a-b,which operate as a magnetic clutch as previously described. Power leads632 operate to deliver power the motor 130 from batteries 155 via thecircuit board 145 of FIGS. 1-2. Fastening features 633 a-b may includeadhesive, insertable mechanical components, cavities to receiveinsertable mechanical components, or other methods for preventing themotor from spinning inside the motor housing 135.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the motor 130 may operateto control an actuator of a blind system without the magnetic clutch.For example, the motor shaft 631 could directly attach to the actuatorof the blind system or to some intermediate component between theactuator and the motor shaft 631 (e.g., connector 1810).

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the motor 130 may operatewith a rotational count mechanism (not shown) that counts a number ofrotations of the motor. Such a rotational count mechanism may beintegral with or connected to the motor or circuit board 145. By knowingthe number of rotations of the motor shaft 631, the motor shaft can beinstructed not to over-rotate the actuator of a blind system, therebypreventing damage to the blind system or blind control device, and alsoreducing unnecessary power use of the batteries 155. Knowing the numberof rotations will permit the blind control device or a remote controldevice to track start and stop positions of the motor shaft for furthercontrol of the motor shaft and additional precision in relation to theoperation of the blind control device.

FIG. 7 depicts the motor housing 135. As shown, the motor housing 135forms a cavity 736 configured to receive the motor 130. The motorhousing 135 includes fastening features 737 a-b, which complimentfastening features 633 a-b of FIG. 6. The motor housing 135 alsoincludes a locking section 738 with pin holes 739 a-b that areconfigured to receive pin 140, which may be inserted through the outerhousing 105 and through the pin holes 739 a-b to prevent the motorhousing 135 from rotating. One of skill in the art will appreciate thatpreventing the motor housing 135 from rotating may be accomplished usingvarious methods other than using the pin 140, including methods that useadhesive, other mechanical fasteners and features (e.g., screws, clips,tongue and groove), or other techniques understood by one of skill inthe art.

When the motor 130 is inserted into the motor housing 135, the powerleads 632 a-b may extend into and/or beyond the locking section 638.Upon insertion of the motor 130 into the motor housing 135, the leads632 a-b may reside on opposite sides or the same side of an inserted pin140. The leads 632 a-b are configured to connect to respective powerterminals 847 a-b of the circuit board 145 shown in FIG. 8 and describedin further detail below.

As previously mentioned, FIG. 8 depicts a circuit board 145. As shown,the circuit board 145 includes the control interface 146, powerterminals 847 a-b and power terminals 848 a-b. Power terminals 847 a-bmay connect to leads 632 a-b, respectively. Power terminals 848 a-b aredescribed in more detail later. Although not shown, the circuit board145 may include any number and type of sensor (using any of the sensortechnology described herein), database, processing, display, counting orother computing or electrical components.

The functionality of the control interface 146 may include programmingof functional instructions, transmitting/receiving of signals/datato/from other components (e.g., sensors, motors, wireless devices,processing components that carry out instructions stored in memory,etc.), and controlling of the motor shaft 631. Accordingly, the controlinterface 146 may include an interface for programming and controllingthe operation of the blind control device 100, including the motor shaft631. The control interface 146 may further include an interface forsending and receiving signals. Signals received by the control interface146 may indicate different types of information, including a directionor position of the motor shaft 631, a fractional number of times themotor shaft 631 has rotated in one or more directions, a position of theblinds (e.g., in relation to a minimum and maximum rotation position), asensed temperature level, a sensed light amount, or a sensed motion.

The control interface 146 may comprise a push switch that, when pushed,will pair the device 100 with a remote control, or with one or morebuttons on the remote control. The remote control may then instruct thecircuit board 145 (e.g., one or more processing and control componentsthereon) to control the operation of the motor 130 to open or closeblinds of a blind system. One of skill in the art will appreciate thatsuch a push switch may be replaced by a signal transceiver and a signalprocessor that operate to receive a wireless signal and process it inaccordance with the methods described herein to control the motor 130.

Although not shown, the circuit 145 may include a processor operable toprocess information described herein (e.g., sensor information, userinstructions, etc.). That processing component may execute instructionsstored in memory to control the operation of the motor based on theinformation.

Attention is now turned to FIG. 9, which depicts a different orientationof the first portion 200 previously described in relation to FIG. 2 andother figures. FIG. 9 depicts leads 632 a-b and terminals 847 a-b, whichare respectively coupled together to deliver power to the motor 130and/or to structurally join the circuit board 145 to the motor 130,which may be fastened to the motor housing 135 as previously described.The circuit board 145 may also be fastened to the locking section 738 ofthe motor housing 135 using adhesive, other mechanical fasteners andfeatures (e.g., screws, clips, tongue and groove), or other techniquesunderstood by one of skill in the art.

FIG. 10 depicts a second portion 1000 of the blind control device 100 ofFIGS. 1A-C. As shown, outer housing 105 includes the circuit board 145,the first battery connector 150, and the one or more batteries 155. FIG.10 also depicts the power lead 165, which attaches to power terminal 848b (not shown) of the circuit board 145. The power lead 165 may alsooperate to structurally reinforce the position of the circuit board 145in relation to other components like the first battery connector 150. Inadditional or alternatively, the circuit board 145 may be fastened tothe first battery connector 150 using adhesive, other mechanicalfasteners and features (e.g., screws, clips, tongue and groove), orother techniques understood by one of skill in the art.

As shown by the combination of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a positive terminalof one battery 155 contacts a spring 1151 of the first battery connector150, and power is delivered from the battery, through the spring 1151and to power terminal 848 a of the circuit board 145 via power lead 1152of the first battery connector 150. FIG. 11 also shows a flat wall 1153of the first battery connector 150 that is configured to permit thepower lead 165 to extend through the space inside the outer housing 105that the first battery connector 150 occupies. The power lead 165, whichis depicted in FIG. 12, may be fastened to the first battery connector150 using any of the techniques described herein or known in the art.Alternatively, the power lead 165 could terminate near the spring, and asecond power near power lead 1152 could connect to power terminal 848 bof the circuit board 145 (configuration not shown).

As shown in FIG. 12, the power lead 165 may include a surface area 1266that couples to the power terminal 848 b. As shown by the combination ofFIG. 12 and FIG. 13, which depicts a third portion 1300 of the blindcontrol device 100 of FIGS. 1A-C, the power lead 165 may further includea screw hole 1267 configured to receive screw 170.

FIG. 14 depicts the second battery connector 160. As shown, the secondbattery connector 160 may include a spring 1461 that contacts a negativeterminal of one battery 155 (as indicated in FIG. 13), a screw hole 1462configured to receive the screw 170, and a receiving section 1463 thatforms a cavity 1464 for receiving and securing a rod/baton or othersuitable object. For example, a rod is shown in FIG. 20 and designatedas 2079. The rod 2079 may be compression fit into the cavity 1464 orotherwise coupled to second battery connector 160 using adhesive, amechanical fastener (e.g., a screw threaded through opening 175), orother technique.

The batteries 155 may be removed after the second battery connector 160is disengaged from the outer housing 105. Removal of the batteries 155may be carried out without any need to remove the blind control device100 from the blind system to which it is coupled. The ease of removingbatteries in this fashion is yet another advantage of certain aspects ofthe present invention over previous blind control systems.

The batteries 155 may be of any type in relation to size, shape andvoltage. The batteries 155 may also be rechargeable. Although not shown,a solar charger may be connected to or integral with the device 100 torecharge the batteries 155. Such a charger could wrap around orotherwise attach to the outer housing 105, or could be adapted toremovably connect to the device 100 and the batteries 155 for thepurpose of charging the batteries 155.

Attention is now turned to FIGS. 15A-B and 16A-C, which collectivelydepict different embodiments of the invention that prevent the blindcontrol device 100 from spinning freely during operation, and whichensure that rotational motion from the motor 130 is directed to anactuating mechanism of a blind system that manipulates the blinds toopen, close or perform some other movement.

FIGS. 15A-B depict the anti-rotation feature 115 at differentorientations. As shown in FIGS. 15A-B, the anti-rotation feature 115includes a tongue section 1516, and a perimeter section 1517 (e.g., inthe shape of a ring) that forms an opening 1518. The opening 1518 may besized to fit over part of the blind connector component 110. Theperimeter section 1517 may include a lip section that fits into anopening of the outer housing 105 and that attaches to the outer housing105. The attachment may be accomplished using any of the techniquesdescribed herein in relation to other features of invention, includingadhesion and mechanical features.

FIGS. 16A-C depict different adaptors 1680 a-c that attach to variousblind systems. As shown, each adaptor 1680 a-c includes a respectiveattachment feature 1681 with an opening 1683 that receives a portion theblind system, thereby securing the adaptors 1680 to the blind system.Once the adaptors 1680 are secured, the blind control device 100 may beconnected to the blinds system, and the tongue section of the tonguecomponent 115 may be inserted into an opening 1684 formed by astructural element 1682.

The anti-rotation feature 115 and adaptor 1680 operate to prevent theouter housing 105 and any component securely attached to it (e.g., themotor housing 135 via pin 140 or other attachment technique describedherein) from rotating when the motor shaft 631 rotates. Theanti-rotation feature 115 and adaptor 1680 ensure that the rotationalmotion from the motor shaft 631 is not transferred to the outer housing105, and is instead transferred through the motor connector component125, through the magnetic clutch (e.g., magnets 120 a-b), through theblind connector component 110, and to the actuating mechanism of a blindsystem. During rotation initiated by the motor shaft 631 and before theblinds are fully closed or open, the force applied by the tonguecomponent 115 when it is inserted into the adaptor 1680 does not breakthe magnetic or frictional bond of the magnets 120 a-b, thereby ensuringthat the rotational motion of the motor shaft 631 is transferred by themagnetic clutch (e.g., magnets 120 a-b) to other components for rotatingan actuating mechanism of a blind system.

One of skill in the art will appreciate different designs of the feature115 and the adaptor 1680 that are within the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, the feature 115 and/or adaptor 1680 may beformed on or attached to the blind system or the blind control device100 in any manner consistent with the disclosure herein.

Example of Blind System & Blind control device

FIG. 17 depicts a blind system 1790 that may include blind louvers 1791,blind tilting mechanisms 1792 and a blind actuating mechanism 1793. Theblind actuating mechanism 1793 may be coupled to a blind control device1700 with an exposed or internal sensor 1701 (e.g., a sensor like thosepreviously described herein). The blind actuating mechanism 1793 may beconfigured to receive rotational motion from the blind control device1700, and then transfer that rotational energy, through intermediarycomponents, to the tilting mechanisms 1792. A remote device 1702 maysend signals to control the rotational motion of the blind controldevice (e.g., to control the rotational motion from a motor (not shown)of the blind control device).

FIG. 21 depicts a remote control device 1899 for sending instructions tothe blind control device 100 for operating the motor 130. Theinstructions may be received by a receiver (e.g., control 146 or othercomponent on the circuit board 145), and used by a processor or similarcomponent to control the operation of the motor 130.

The remote control device 1899 is preferably digital, but may also beanalog. The remote control may include a timer that tracks time andcauses the motor 130 to operate based on the tracked time. For example,the timer may cause the motor 130 to cause blinds to open in the morningand close at night. The digital version of the remote control device mayinclude control buttons 1801 for programming the operation of one ormore blind control devices 100. Such programming may specify times ofoperation, degrees to which blinds are opened, and other operations.Also, such programming may be stored locally at the blind control device100 or on the remote control device.

The control buttons may also include forward and reverse buttons 1803and 1806 for control the operation of the blind control device 100 andcontrol to direction of rotation for the motor 130. The control buttonsmay also include a round (or any shape) button 1804 that may selectparticular blind control devices 100 that will receive particularprogramming instructions. Selected blind control device 100 may beindicated by number or other designation on the display 1801.

The control buttons may also include group buttons 1807 (e.g., threegroup buttons 1-3) that allow a user to select various blinds to operateat the same time (eg, blinds 1, 4 and 8). Each button may be programmedfor particular groups, and when activated will control only that group.Having group control eliminates the need for individually selecting eachblind control device 100 to execute a particular operation.

It is understood that the specific order components disclosed herein areexamples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it isunderstood that the specific order components may be rearranged, and/orcomponents may be omitted, while remaining within the scope of thepresent disclosure unless noted otherwise. The previous description ofthe disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications tothese embodiments may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

The disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shownherein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with thespecification and drawings, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to“at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of thoseitems, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b,or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, band c.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits andprocessing or controlling capabilities described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A generalpurpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, theprocessor may be any conventional processor, controller,microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implementedas a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP anda microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, one or moreof the process steps described herein may be stored in memory ascomputer program instructions. These instructions may be executed by adigital signal processor, an analog signal processor, and/or anotherprocessor, to perform the methods described herein. Further, theprocessor(s), the memory, the instructions stored therein, or acombination thereof may serve as a means for performing one or more ofthe method steps described herein.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Toclearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software,various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or softwaredepends upon the particular application and design constraints imposedon the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedfunctionality in varying ways for each particular application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded asone or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage mediamay be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can compriseRAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that canbe used to carry or store desired program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media. Any processor andthe storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a userterminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium mayreside as discrete components in a user terminal.

Aspects of the present invention are typically carried out in orresident on a computing network. The computing network generallyincludes computer hardware components such as servers, monitors, I/Odevices, network connection devices, as well as other associatedhardware. In addition, the aspects and features described below mayinclude one or more application programs configured to receive, convert,process, store, retrieve, transfer and/or export data and other contentand information. As an example, these aspects and features may includeone or more processors that may be coupled to a memory space comprisingSRAM, DRAM, Flash and/or other physical memory devices. Memory space maybe configured to store an operating system (OS), one or more applicationprograms, such as a UI program, data associated with the pertinentaspect or feature, applications running on processors in the device,user information, or other data or content. The various aspects andfeatures of the present invention may further include one or more UserI/O interfaces, such as keypads, touch screen inputs, mice, Bluetoothdevices or other I/O devices. In addition, the certain aspects andfeatures may include a cellular or other over the air wireless carrierinterface, as well as a network interface that may be configured tocommunicate via a LAN or wireless LAN (WiLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network.Other interfaces, such as USB or other wired interfaces may also beincluded.

As used herein, computer program products comprising computer-readablemedia including all forms of computer-readable medium except, to theextent that such media is deemed to be non-statutory, transitorypropagating signals.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentdisclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments may be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein. It is intended that the following claims andtheir equivalents define the scope of the invention.

1. A system for controlling an actuating mechanism that adjusts one ormore blinds, the system comprising: a motor having a motor shaft,wherein the motor shaft rotates about a first axis; a power source,wherein the power source powers the motor; and a tube, wherein the motorand the power source are inside the tube; a first connector having afirst feature that couples the first connector to the actuatingmechanism, wherein the first connector rotates about the first axis whenthe motor shaft rotates around the first axis.
 2. The system of claim 1,further comprising: a receiver that receives a first signal from aremote device; and a processing component, wherein the processingcomponent: receives the first signal or a second signal that is relatedto the first signal; causes the motor shaft to rotate about the firstaxis based on the first signal or the second signal.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the motor shaft is coupled to the first connector. 4.The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second connector having asecond feature that couples the second connector to the motor, whereinthe second connector rotates about the first axis; and a magnetic clutchcomprising a first magnet coupled to the first connector and a secondmagnet coupled to the second connector, wherein the magnetic clutchcauses the first connector and the second connector to rotate around thefirst axis when the one or more blinds are partially open and when themotor shaft rotates about the first axis, and wherein the magneticclutch to prevents the first connector from rotating around the firstaxis and to permit the second connector to rotate around the first axiswhen the one or more blinds are fully open or fully closed and when themotor shaft rotates about the first axis, wherein the second connectorand the magnetic clutch are inside the tube.
 5. The system of claim 1,further comprising a sensor and a controller that control the rotationof the motor shaft based on temperature, light, sound or motioninformation collected by the sensor.
 6. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising an anti-rotation feature attached to or formed on the tube,wherein the anti-rotation feature prevents the tube from rotating whenthe motor shaft rotates.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: asensor; and a processing component, wherein the processing component:receives information from the sensor; causes the motor shaft to rotateabout the first axis based on first information from the sensorspecifying an ambient temperature level that exceeds a predefinedthreshold temperature level; and causes the motor shaft to rotate aboutthe first axis based on second information from the sensor specifying anambient light level that exceeds a predefined threshold light level. 8.The system of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor; and a processingcomponent, wherein the processing component: receives information fromthe sensor; causes the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis basedon first information from the sensor specifying a sound that matches astored sound profile; and causes the motor shaft to rotate about thefirst axis based on second information from the sensor specifying adetected motion.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: aprocessing component, wherein the processing component: receivesinformation specifying a time of day; compares the time of day to astored time of day to determine if the received time of day matches thestored time of day; and causes the motor shaft to rotate about the firstaxis when the received time of day matches the stored time of day. 10.The system of claim 1, further comprising a processing component,wherein the processing component: receives first user instructions froma remote device over a wireless transmission channel, wherein the firstuser instructions instruct the processor to cause the motor shaft torotate about the first axis in a first direction that results in aclosure of the blinds; causes the motor shaft to rotate in the firstdirection responsive to the first user instructions; receives seconduser instructions from a remote device over a wireless transmissionchannel, wherein the second user instructions instruct the processor tocause the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis in a seconddirection that results in an opening of the blinds; and causes the motorshaft to rotate in the second direction responsive to the second userinstructions.
 11. The system of claim 2, further comprising the remotedevice.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstconnector is disposed between the actuating mechanism and the motor. 14.The system of claim 1, wherein rotation of the first connector causesthe actuating mechanism to rotate.
 15. The system of claim 1, whereinthe motor and the first connector rotate about a vertical axis thatextends from the first connector at a top portion of the system tofastener at a bottom portion of the system.
 16. The system of claim 1,wherein the blinds and the actuating mechanism form part of a blindsystem, and wherein the system hangs downward from the actuatingmechanism.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system furtherincludes: an anti-rotation feature attached to or formed on the tube;and an adaptor that forms an opening into which a tongue section of theanti-rotation feature is inserted to prevent the tube from rotating whenthe motor shaft rotates.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the firstconnector is inside the tube.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein thetube extends along the vertical axis between two ends of the tube. 20.The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes: a first magnetcoupled to the first connector; and a second magnet, wherein a firstsurface of the first magnet is magnetically coupled to a second surfaceof the second magnet, wherein the first and second magnets rotate aroundthe first axis at the same speed when the blinds are not fully opened orclosed, and wherein the first magnet stops rotating while the secondmagnet continues to rotate when the blinds are fully opened or closed.